Gold Coast United v WellingtonPerth Glory v North Queensland
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
Sydney FC v Central Coast
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets
Friday, October 2
Gold Coast v Wellington
Preview: Arguably the most deadly trio in the A-League this season will be reunited again, since Round 4. Culina, Porter and Smeltz will join forces to try and get Gold Coast out of a mini crisis. Still leading the league on goal difference, Gold Coast have managed only 4pts from a possible 15 in their last five encounters, including a 2-3 loss against Melbourne in Round 8. Gold Coast's visitors, Wellington, have shown a consistency that has not been seen in previous seasons, tasting defeating only twice this season. Draws though will not win you championships and Wellington have been the draw specialists of the A-League, sharing the spoils on no less than five occassions, including a scoreless draw against the Central Coast in Round 8.
On team news, Gold Coast retain the services of Smeltz, Robson, and back-up keeper Higgins while Fitzsimmons (susp), Pantelidis (susp) and Caravella (inj) miss out. Wellington regain the services of Daniel after returning from personal leave in Brazil.
Verdict: Gold Coast will be breathing fire this evening following the controversial re-taking of Melbourne's missed penalty, which was then converted to condemn the Coasters to their third loss for the season. Despite the loss and one man less (after Fitzimmons' sending off), Gold Coast went toe-to-toe with Melbourne. Wellington have had a good run of home games recently but worryingly for them, three points have been hard to come by. Wellington may be left ruing missed opportunities as they now face a run of three away games in their next four outings. Their away form so far has yielded only 2pts from a possible 12 and with Gold Coast looking to rebound, I suspect that the Phoenix have caught the league leaders at a bad time.
Pick: Gold Coast -1AH @1.96 (sbobet, 6 units)
Gold Coast 0 - 0 Wellington
Saturday, October 3
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
Preview: Resurgent Melbourne take on an improving Brisbane Roar at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. If their previous encounter this season is anything to go by (3-3), then we are in for a real treat. In the best game of Round 8 (and possibly the season), Melbourne Victory defeated Gold Coast 3-2 on their own patch and sent a strong message to the rest of the league that they now are the team to beat. Costa Rican midfielder, Carlos Hernandez, scored a 30 yard scorcher that would make the highlights on any football show across the globe. On the other hand, Brisbane scored a late winner against Sydney to keep themselves in the upper echelons of the ladder. In team news, midfielders Nick Ward and Celeski miss out and are replaced by fit again Evan Berger and Tom Pondeljak. Brisbane are unchanged from their match against Sydney.
Verdict: There is alot of scoring power and confidence in both sides so a repeat of the 3-3 scoreline in Round 1 is not totally out of the question. A perfect surface awaits both teams so there will be no excuses for poor football. Melbourne's games have averaged 2.9 goals per game whereas Brisbane's have averaged 3.1 goals per game. With the main attacking weapons fit and ready on both sides, we are likely to see goals here.
Pick: Over 2.25 goals @1.81 (sbobet, 10 units)
Melbourne 2 - 1 Brisbane
Monday, October 5
Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
Preview: In what promises to be a good atmosphere at the Sydney Football Stadium (public holiday in Australia), Sydney and Central Coast do battle for a chance at earning top spot on the A-League table. The two best defences in the league will fight it out here and a scoreless stalemate (as in Round 3) is not beyond the realms of possibility. Sydney FC lost 1-0 at Queensland in Round 8 to a late Van Dijk goal whereas Central Coast earned a creditable 0-0 draw at improving Wellington. In team news, Sydney midfielder Terry McFlynn and defender Stephan Keller both return while John Aloisi remains doubtful. For the Mariners, striker Matt Simon remains doubtful after missing training this week through injury concerns.
Verdict: Sydney FC have lost three of their past four games but can take heart from the fact that they have won 3 from 4 in front of their own fans. Central Coast made a long, arduous trip to New Zealand last week and their inability to find the net there means that they have now scored in only one of their four away games to date. With Central Coast's top scorer in Matty Simon a huge doubt, the visitors may yet add to their poor scoring record on their travels. Unlike Central Coast, Sydney have strikers in Brosque and Bridge that have the ability to find the back of the net. The inclusion of the inventive McFlynn is also a big plus for the home side. Taking all things into account, the home team should have too much for their visitors today.
Pick: Sydney -0.25AH @1.87 (sbobet, 8 units)
Sydney 1 - 0 Central Coast
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets
Preview: Adelaide United will look to string two wins together for the first time this season when they face the luckless Newcastle Jets today. Adelaide can thank their competent keeper in Eugene Galekovic for their 2-0 victory at North Queensland in Round 8. Galekovic pulled off a string of saves in the first half to keep his team in it, to eventually come out on top through a Lucas Pantelis double. On the other hand, Newcastle continued to dominate their opponents but their inability to take their opportunities costed them again. This time, Perth Glory were the ones to capitalise as Newcastle keeper, Ben Kennedy, gave away a late penalty to condemn his side to a 1-0 loss. In team news, Adelaide United are reinforced with the return of Barbiero and Alemao. The visitors regain some much needed firepower and experience with the signing of former Leeds marksman, Michael Bridges, and the inclusion of Petrovski and midfield man Jobe Wheelhouse.
Verdict: Adelaide face a tough trip to Perth in just four days time so Adelaide manager, Aurelio Vidmar, may be forced to make some changes throughout this match to keep some fresh legs for the up coming encounter. Newcastle seem to have finally possessed the striking weapons that they have been craving, on paper anyway. Michael Bridges had a spell with Sydney FC back in the '07/'08 season when current Newcastle manager, Branko Culina, was then in charge so he shouldn't take too long in settling in. It's only a matter of time before Newcastle give the opposition a real spanking and with today's important inclusions, in addition to Adelaide's not so clever form, today might be the day.
Pick: Newcastle +0.5AH @1.89 (sbobet, 6 units)
Adelaide United 1 - 1 Newcastle Jets
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